Kentucky’s EJ Floréal moving on from basketball, joining track & field team

After three years on the Kentucky basketball team, Floréal will be giving it up to join the track & field team coached by his father, Edrick Sr., the school announced on Tuesday.

“First of all I just want to thank Coach Calipari, my coaches and my teammates for the opportunity I’ve had the last three years,” Floréal said in a press release. “One of my goals was to play alongside the best players in the country and to grow and develop, and I think I’ve done that. Sometimes other opportunities come along. I want to use my athleticism to truly excel, and after seeing what my dad has done with his track and field athletes, I felt like this was my best chance to be the best version of myself. I want to make something clear: This was completely my decision and my decision alone. I know this transition won’t be easy, but I was bred for this. As much as I love basketball, track is in my blood. I’m excited for the next step.”

Floréal walked onto the basketball team as a freshman out of Palo Alto, Calif., and later earned a scholarship. He ends his Kentucky career playing in 29 games, tallying three points, two steals, a block and eight rebounds over three years.

The 6-foot-4, 203-pound forward was an athletic player who showed off his dunking abilities in the Wildcats’ layup lines. He is also well known for his role in Jamal Murray’s bow-and-arrow celebration last season.